ABOUT £4,000 will be going to two local charities after a trio of Retford boating enthusiasts competed in a voyage around Britain and Ireland.

Friends Malcolm Wilkinson, Christian Brash and William Moore endured violent seas, mechanical failures and injuries during the arduous task, only to have to pull out because of an engine failure towards the end of their voyage.

Sponsorship for the trip has raised more than £4,000, to be shared between Bassetlaw Hospice and Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice.

The trio stepped aboard their Scorpion RIB boat named Scooby Doo – a light-weight, high-speed petrol-engined craft – to take part in the Great British RIB Rally in June.

And they had to put up with wild swells when they set off.

The team experienced force-six gales and five-metre waves as they ploughed through the surf past Portland, Falmouth, Baltimore, Kilrush and Burtonport.

But as Scooby Doo was making its way to Bangor, the boat's fortunes came to an abrupt end thanks to a suspected piston failure.

Luckily for the team a friendly competitor gave them a tow back to port.

An impressive list of sea life was sighted by the crew along the way, including minky whales, basking sharks and porpoises, one of which circled the Scooby Doo as it was stranded in the water.

And the occasional injury also hampered the crew.

"My left shoulder ached from holding the wheel, and I'd hit my left knee so hard it was like a football," said Christian.

"My right knee was also bruised from the jockey seats. Malcolm's back was just about OK and the only one in good shape was William – in much better shape than the youngsters!

"It's certainly been an experience that we've learnt lots from. It really was a challenge."

The team thanked all those who sponsored them – friends, business contacts and especially customers at the Whitehouses pub in London Road which donated £480.